In a surprising move from Marvel Comics, the full roster of Al Ewing's expanded Guardians of the Galaxy team has been revealed and one member, in particular, is rather shocking. While the large team features 17 unique heroes of the traditionally cosmic variety that one would expect to join the Guardians, the most surprising addition by far is that of Doctor Doom. While Doom has become quite the complex character in recent comics, it comes as an unexpected move. Furthermore, while Doom's motivations and reasoning for joining the team are unknown, this could be exactly the kind of fresh start Victor von Doom needs, as his past attempts to redeem himself on Earth have always fizzled out with a reversion back to villainy.
Victor von Doom has always seen himself as the hero of his own story, confident that if he were to rule the world and remake it in his own image, the planet would be better off and humanity would praise him for his efforts. However, his "jealous" rival Mr. Fantastic and his Fantastic Four family have consistently prevented him in his efforts - not to mention countless other heroes in the Marvel Universe who have gotten in his way over the years. While this warped and flawed perspective is the result of Doom's massive pride, ego, and paranoia, there have been a handful of attempts to redeem himself in recent years all the same. He has tried to be an honest and genuine hero in the eyes of the people, such as his temporary stint as Iron Man, or in Christopher Cantwell's more recent Doctor Doom series where Doom saved the world from a black hole, intending to pay for his crimes afterward to get a fresh slate going forward. Unfortunately, this plan never came to fruition due to the aforementioned pride and ego.
Doom has consistently gone back to being the dictator of Latveria, unable to truly commit to being a hero due to the sheer amount of baggage he has on Earth. While he could certainly have ulterior motives in joining the Guardians of the Galaxy, he now at the very least has a new chance and opportunity to actually work towards a lasting redemption among the stars as a galactic hero. However, this could just as well be an elaborate ploy and deception he has in the works. Either way, here's the full team featured on the covers of the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy #13-15 from writer Al Ewing and artist Juan Frigeri, with cover art by Brett Booth:
In the announcement from Marvel Comics, it's revealed that the expansion of the Guardians will be the result of all the large shifts in the galactic status quo, such as the events in Marvel's Empyre or the current King in Black event. As such, the Guardians of the Galaxy will have become deputized, leading to the need for more members to handle bigger and badder dangers threatening the galaxy.
Again, Doom's role and how he'll find himself among the ranks of the Guardians of the Galaxy is still unclear. Regardless, this could finally be Doctor Doom's chance to get that true and lasting redemption he's claimed to have wanted since his time as the God-Emperor of Battleworld during 2015's Secret Wars event. Perhaps the key this whole time was that he had to leave Earth to do so? Either way, fans will find out more when Al Ewing's new Age of Space begins in April from Marvel Comics.